YOU remember all the details about your first kiss. You also can recall where you met your sweetheart for the first time, the dress and the perfume she was wearing.

With such a brilliant memory, why do you forget an acquaintance’s name, misplace your keys, or leave your mobile in a restaurant? Is it mere absentmindedness or the result of a fading memory?

The comforting fact is that memory does not have to fade. With training and practice, your memory can be substantially improved. Take names which are probably the hardest to retain. When we meet someone, we usually hear the name just once. Also, most names may not have meaning in themselves. In other words, you do not associate them with common words that you already know. Gita, for example, is easy to remember because you can at once link it with the famous scripture. Anything that makes name meaningful makes it easier to remember.

There are ways to sharpen your ability to recall names. Here are a few suggestions, which may work for you.

Often you find that after being introduced to a person you cannot remember their name. What may seem like a memory lapse is more likely a problem of concentration. To remember names, you must pay attention. This sounds simple, but most people rarely concentrate on names.

Introductions are usually made fast at parties or meetings, where you are thinking about so many other things.

This is very well illustrated by a story narrated by a humorist. While he was introduced to the President of his country, he deliberately blurted: "My mother died last week". The President responded with the usual, "Pleased to meet you."

Listen carefully during the introduction. If the introducer speaks rapidly or mumbles, do not hesitate to ask the name again.

If it is an unfamiliar name, linking it to familiar things already in your memory will help you recall the name later. Most people are flattered when you show interest in their name.

Keep the name in front of you for the duration the face is before you. Look at the person’s face as he or she speaks and repeat their name to yourself again and again. Associate it with someone else you know.

Speak out the name if you get a chance. Look for an opportunity to introduce your new acquaintance to someone else.

You forget the name because although you see the person often, you rarely use his or her name. Here’s my personal example. I always failed to recall famous flautist Hari Prasad Chaurasia’s name. I hit upon a method. I repeated to myself "HP — Himachal Pradesh" many times. Now I don’t forget his name.

Do not get into the habit of ignoring names. When you see someone you know, hail them by their name. Or say the name to yourself to keep it alive in your memory.

Group gatherings pose a problem. You meet many people. Do not expect too much from memory. Set goals. Use your priorities to decide who you should remember. Pick people you are likely to see again. Repeat a new name to yourself while noting a prominent facial feature, such as a receding hairline, double chin or big nose, making sure this feature sinks in your mind. Even if your imagery is not very successful, the effort you make to form the image may help you remember the name and face.

When nothing summons up a name from the far reaches of your memory, do not panic because anxiety interferes tremendously with the memory process. Take a deep breath and relax. It is most likely that you will be able to recall the name. If not, try to recollect the situation where you two first met, or who introduced you, or what you talked about. If you have to go through all this trying to remember a name, chances are you will never forget it again.

It is so annoying. Such forgetfulness usually occurs because you are doing one thing while thinking about something else. The solution is to train yourself to be conscious of your actions. Take out one second to put the keys somewhere sensible, such as in the door lock so that you’ll see them when leaving. Or look at them as you set them down, and make a mental picture of where you put them. Be aware of their location and tell yourself about it. Keeping things in their proper place reduces the demands on your memory.

Do not think you are scatterbrained. The real problem is that you are not well organised.

Have a memory place. It may be a table somewhere you can place your personal articles, such as glasses, wallet or keys.